Women working in healthcare who are regularly exposed to radiation from x-rays and other imaging procedures need better ionizing radiation protection to help minimize their risk of developing breast cancer, argue doctors in The BMJ today.
Ionizing radiation is a known human carcinogen and breast tissue is highly radiation sensitive. As such, there are concerns that regular exposure to ionizing radiation during image-guided procedures may be linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in female healthcare workers.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lead gowns are used to shield the body from harmful radiation during these procedures. But studies have shown that current radiation PPE provides inadequate protection to breast tissue as it leaves the area close to the armpit (known as the upper outer quadrant and axilla - the most common site of breast cancer) exposed.
"Providing adequate breast covering PPE could therefore reduce radiation exposure and potentially help prevent breast cancer in female healthcare workers," write Isobel Pilkington and colleagues.
They acknowledge that measuring the risk of occupational radiation-induced breast cancer in women working in healthcare is challenging, but as the number of female trainees entering these specialties increases, they say "it is essential that the available evidence is considered and equipment provision improved to minimize this risk."
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Source: News Medical
Date: 18 April